Page 9 of Skating the Blue Line
Umm. What?
“Private performances?” I ask as I feel my eyebrows bunching up. I try to keep a smile on my face but I have no idea if I’m failing or not.
Is he asking what I think he’s asking?
There is no fucking way. I have to be imagining this conversation or something.
“Yes, private performances,” he states. “I have a poker night for me and a few friends once a month and I would love to add some entertainment to it. Given your dancing skills, I think that you would be perfect for what I’m thinking.”
Perfect for what he’s thinking.
So many images run through my head at what that could be. Especially given that it would be for a poker night filled with men. At least I think it's men.
For all I know, he’s thinking about having me at one of his poker games in my leotard, dancing around and having me strip for him and his friends.
I’m not a strip ballerina, even though the idea does seem like a good idea with someone I’m seeing, but definitely not with a group of men I know nothing about.
Red flags everywhere.
I give the guy the sweetest customer service smile that I can muster. “Unfortunately, I’m not allowed to do any performance not put on by the dance company, per my contract. I’m sorry.”
That’s a complete lie, but he doesn’t know that.
“I’ll pay you whatever your contract is for you to do it.” He offers, his face stoic.
Enticing, but no.
I’m about to tell this man no once again, but I’m stopped when a figure approaches us.
My eyes go slightly wide at the person who just joined us.
Liam Crawford.
He is a lot bigger up close than he is across the room or even on a TV screen. Definitely not as big as the billboards I have seen him on, though.
What is he doing over here?
“Can we help you with something?” The older man’s voice takes me out the small cloud that having Liam closed by is putting me in.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.” Liam tells the man, turning slightly to give him a gleaming smile before turning his attention to me. “I was just wondering if I can borrow my girlfriend for a bit. I have yet to congratulate her on her performance tonight.”
If I was drinking my wine right about now, it would be all over the old man’s fancy suit.
Girlfriend?
Did he just call me hisgirlfriend?
I’m not hearing things, am I?
From the wink he throws in my direction, I certainly heard him correctly.
He must have seen how awkward my interaction with this guy was and decided to step in.
He’s pretending, and the wink he threw in my direction was him asking me to play along.
I’m here for it.
I wipe whatever surprised expression is on my face and give Liam a bright smile.
